Apparatus for mounting portable manually operated yarn knotter mechanisms on yarn processing machines

ABSTRACT

The improvement, in the combination of a textile yarn processing machine, such as a twister, spinning frame or the like, having a plurality of spindle assemblies positioned in side-by-side relationship for the processing of yarn and a manually operated portable yarn knotter mechanism for knotting together two ends of broken or otherwise separated yarn at selected spindle assembly locations, of holders mounted stationary on the yarn processing machine in front of each spindle assembly for releasably receiving and mounting the yarn knotter mechanism at the desired knotting locations in front of selected spindle assemblies for a knotting operation at the selected spindle assemblies eliminating the necessity of the operator holding the portable yarn knotter mechanism. The holder mechanism may include actuators for actuating control mechanisms in response to mounting of the yarn knotter mechanism for stopping and starting operation of the respective spindle assemblies and for stopping and starting operation of pneumatic threading mechanisms. There may also be provided tensioning and clamping mechanisms below the holders for clamping and tensioning each end of separated yarn during the knotting operation.

Unite tes [19.1

Franzen et al.

[ APPARATUS FOR MOUNTING PORTABLE MANUALLY OPERATED YARN KNO'I'IER MECHANISMS 0N YARN PROCESSING MACHINES [75] Inventors: Gustav Franzen, Neersen Bezirk Dusseldorf; Helmut Veltges, Krefeld, both of Germany [73] Assignee: Palitex Project Company GmbH,

Germany [22] Filed: July 5, 1973 [211 Appl. No.: 376,742

[44] Published under the Trial Voluntary Protest Program on January 28, 1975 as document no. B 376,742.

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data July 12, 1972 Germany 2234211 [52] US. Cl 57/34 R; 57/58.7; 242/37 A [51] Int. Cl. DOIH 15/00 [58] Field of Search 57/34 R, 34.5, 1 R, 22,

57/56, 58.49, 58.7, 58.83; 242/355 R, 35.6 R, 37 A, 1; 289/17, 18, 2,12-15 [5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 268,622 12/1882 Chase 289/17 498,185 5/1893 McVeigh 289/17 623,925 4/1899 McVeigh 289/17 916.883 3/1909 Martin 242/37'A 3,117,738 l/l964 Raasch et al. 289/17 X Franzen 57/58.7 Steppuhn 57/34 R [57] ABSTRACT The improvement, in the combination of a textile yarn processing machine, such as a twister, spinning frame or the like, having a plurality of spindle assemblies positioned in side-by-side relationship for the processing of yarn and a manually operated portable yarn knotter mechanism for knotting together two ends of broken or otherwise separated yarn at selected spindle assembly locations, of holders mounted stationary on the yarn processing machine in front of each spindle assembly for releasably receiving and mounting the yarn knotter mechanism at the desired knotting locations in front of selected spindle assemblies for a knotting operation at the selected spindle assemblies eliminating the necessity of the operator holding the portable yarn knotter mechanism. The holder mechanism may include actuators for actuating control mechanisms in response to mounting of the yarn knotter mechanism for stopping and starting operation of the respective spindle assemblies and for stopping and starting operation of pneumatic threading mechanisms. There may also be provided tensioning and clamping mechanisms below the holders for clamping and tensioning each end of separated yarn during the knotting operation.

10 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures US. Patent Dec. 9 1975 Sheet 1 of 4 Sheet 2 of 4 US. Patent Dec. 9 1975 U.S.v Patent Dec. 9 1975 Sheet 3 of 4 APPARATUS FOR MOUNTING PORTABLE MANUALLY OPERATED YARN KNOTTER MECHANISMS ON YARN PROCESSING MACHINES The present invention relates to the provision of holder mechanisms on the front of each spindle assembly of yarn processing machines, such as twisters, spinning frames or the like, for receiving and mounting manually operated portable yarn knotter mechanisms at selected spindle assembly locations, eliminating the necessity of the operator holding the portable yarn knotter mechanism.

Heretofore, in the operation of a yarn processing machine in which a single end of yarn is processed at each spindle assembly location on the machine, if the yarn broke forming two ends of broken yarn or if the yarn was otherwise separated, it has been customary to use a commercially available, portable, manually operated knotter mechanism for piecing together or knotting to- I gether the two ends of separated yarn for further processing at the spindle assembly location. In the use of these portable yarn knotter mechanisms, an operator would bring the yarn knotter mechanism to the spindle assembly location and hold the yarn knotter mechanism, while inserting the two separated ends of yarn into the mechanism for manually operating the knotter mechanism to knot the two ends of yarn. Thus, the knotting procedure requires the operator to hold the I knotting mechanism while gripping and placing both of the separated ends of yarn into the mechanism, requiring the operator to exert a grip at three places, for which however only two hands are at the operators disposal.

Accordingly, it is the object of this invention to overcome the above deficiencies of the prior knotting operation and to provide mechanisms which facilitate the piecing or knotting operation by an operator.

It has been found by this invention that the above object may be accomplished by providing the improvement, in the combination of a textile yarn processing machine, such as a twister, spinning frame or the like, having a plurality of spindle assembly means positioned in side-by-side relationship for the processing of yarn and a manually operated portable yarn knotter mechanism for knotting together two ends of broken or otherwise separated yarn at selected spindle assembly locations, of holder means mounted stationary on the yarn processing machine in front of each spindle assembly means and including means for releasably receiving and mounting the yarn knotter mechanism at the desired knotting location in front of selected spindle assembly means for a yarn knotting operation at the selected spindle assembly means, thereby eliminating the necessity of the operator holding the portable yarn knotter mechanism and allowing the operator to use his hands in correctly positioning the separated ends of yarn in the knotting mechanism.

If the yarn processing machine includes control means operatively connected with each of the spindle assembly means for selectively stopping and starting operation of the respective spindle assemblies, it has been found preferable by this invention for the holder means to include actuating means operatively connected with the respective control means and responsive to reception and mounting of the yarn knotter mechanism in the respective holder means for actuating the control means to stop operation of the respective spindle assembly means for a yarn knotting operation. The actuating means is also preferably responsive to removal of the yarn knotter mechanism from the respective holder means for actuating the control means to start operation of the respective spindle assembly for yarn processing operation.

Also, if the yarn processing machine includes pneumatically operated yarn threading means operatively associated with each of the spindle assemblies for selectively threading a yarn end through at least a portion of each of the spindle assemblies, it has been found by this invention to be preferable for the actuating means of the respective holder means to be operatively .con nected with the respective pneumatic threading means for starting operation thereof when the yarn knotter mechanism is mounted in the respective holder means and to stop operation of the respective pneumatic threading means when the yarn knotter mechanism is removed from the holder means.

It has further been found that the preferred embodiment of this invention includes a pair of tensioning means and a pair of clamping means mounted on the yarn processing machine below each of the holder means for clamping and tensioning each of the ends of separated yarn during the knotting operation and thus eliminating the necessity of the operator holding these ends after threading them through the knotter mechanism.

Some of the objects and advantages of this invention having been stated, other objects and advantages will appear as the description proceeds, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which FIG. 1 is a prospective view of a portion of a yarn processing machine, i.e., a two-for-one yarn twister, illustrating two full spindle assembly stations and a cross section through a third spindle assembly station having the improved mechanisms of this invention and with a portable, manually operated yarn knotter mechanism inserted into the holder mechanism of the central spindle assembly station;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, partial, vertical sectional view generally taken through the central spindle assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view taken generally over the two full spindles illustrated in FIG. 1 and showing the knotter mechanism inserted in the holder at one spindle assembly;

FIG. 4 is a partial, front elevational view of portions of the two spindle assemblies illustrated in full in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view, like FIG. 4, but illustrating the use of air shields in lieu of balloon limitor mechanisms.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1 portions of three spindle assemblies, generally indicated at 10 of a two-for-one twister yarn processing machine. While the drawings and specific description to follow will be related to a two-for-one twister which is the preferred yarn processing machine utilizing the improvements of this invention, it is to be understood that the improved mechanisms of this invention could also be utilized on other yarn processing machines. A full illustration and description of the entire two-forone twister is not given and is not believed necessary for an understanding of the present invention, the operation and structure of such a two-for-one twister being well understood by those with ordinary skill in the art.

Each of the spindle assemblies which are conventionally mounted in side-by-side relationship in a twofor-one twister comprises a rotatably driven rotor mechanism, generally indicated at 1 1. The rotor mechanism 11 comprises a whorl 12 suitably rotatably mounted on the twister frame 13 and rotated by a continuous drive belt 14. The rotor mechanism 11 further includes a horizontally extending reserve disc device 16 secured to the whorl 12 for being driven thereby and a generally vertically extending hollow axle 17.. The reserve disc 16 and hollow axle 17 define a vertically extending yarn passageway 20 extending through the hollow axle 17 and partly through the reserve disc 16 and a horizontally extending yarn passageway 21 extending through at least a portion of and out of the reserve disc 16 and mating with the vertically extending yarn pas sageway 20.

Spindle assembly 10 further includes a carrier mechanism 25 for carrying a hollow package P of yarn Y and being rotatably mounted on the rotor mechanism 11 so that the rotor mechanism may rotate relative thereto. The carrier mechanism 25 comprises generally a basket device 26 which surrounds the package P of yarn Y and is rotatably mounted by bearings 27 so that the hollow axle 17 may rotate relative thereto. The carrier mechanism 25 may further include a hollow yarn package carrier 28 rotatably mounted by suitable bearings, so that the hollow axle 17 may rotate relative thereto, and supported on the basket device 26. The hollow yarn carrier 28 may include a yarn entry tube 30.

The spindle assembly 10 further includes a balloon limitor device 33 surrounding the basket device 26. A yarn guide eyelet is positioned above and in axial alignment with the hollow axle 17 and the yarn entry tube 30. There is further provided a pre-take up roll 42, a yarn traversing mechanism 43, and a package roll 44 upon which the yarn Y is wound after being processed or twisted by the spindle assembly 10. The package roll 44 is rotated by ,a drive friction roll 45.

The twister of this invention may also include suitable housing, generally indicated at 65 surrounding the front and rear and extending between each spindle assembly and generally around the balloon limitor devices 33. These housings 65 may also include suitable shield 66 extending between each balloon limitor device.

With the above described mechanisms, the yarn Y passes from the package P and is threaded through the yarn entry tube 30, through the yarn passageway 20 of the hollow axle 17 and the reserve disc 16 and out of the reserve disc 16 through the yarn passageway 21. The yarn Y then passes upwardly between the basket device 26 and the balloon limitor 33 to form a balloon of yarn. The yarn Y is then threaded through a yarn guide eyelet 40, over pre-take up roll 42 and is traversed by traversing mechanism 43 onto the package roll 44 to complete its travel through the spindle assembly 10. As is well understood by those with ordinary skill in the art, a two-for-one twist is inserted in the yarn during the above noted path of travel.

If during the travel of the yarn, as noted above, the yarn Y breaks or a new supply package P of yarn Y is placed in the spindle assembly 10, two separated ends of yarn Y are formed which must be knotted or pieced together for continued operation of the spindle assembly 10. When the yarn Y passing through a spindle assembly 10 is thus broken or otherwise separated, the separated ends are so positioned that one separated end extends downwardly from the eyelet 40 and the other separated end of yarn Y extends upwardly from between the basket device 26 and the balloon limitor device 33, as may be seen in FIG. 2. Conventionally, a portable, manually operated knotter mechanism would be brought into position for receiving the two separated ends of yarn and knotting them together. This yarn knotter mechanism is generally indicated by the reference numeral and its operation for knotting together two separated ends of yarn is well understood by those with ordinary skill in the art and does not require detailed explanation herein for an understanding of the present invention. 7

In accordance with the present invention, holder devices, generally indicated at 70, are mounted stationary on the housing of the twister in front of each spindle assembly 10, as shown particularly in FIG. 1, for releasably receiving and mounting the yarn knotter mechanism 60 at the desired knotting location in front of the spindle assemblies 10 for knotting operations. These holders comprise a generally rectangular, hollow, female receptacle 71 having an aperture 72 extending from the upper end thereof through to the bottom end thereof and mounted on the housing 65.

For cooperation with the female receptacle 71, the yarn knotter mechanism 60 is provided with a male member 74 in the form of an angled outwardly extending arm which is secured at one end to the knotter mechanism 60 and which has an outer free end for extension into and reception by the female receptacle 71. Thus, as may be seen particularly in FIGS. 1 and 2, the yarn knotter mechanism 60 is positioned at the desired or convenient knotting location in front of the selected spindle assembly 10 when the yarn Y is broken or otherwise separated and requires piecing together or knotting.

As mentioned above, the knotting mechanism 60 is a conventional, commercially available design for receiving two separated ends of yarn and for knotting them together. Broadly, the yarn Y coming from the supply package P and up between the basket device 26 and the balloon limitor device 33 is grasped by the operator and inserted into the slit 78 of the knotter mechanism 60. The other separated thread end extending down from the take-up roll is grasped by the operator and looped about a swingable book 79 located on the back or inside of the knotter mechanism 60 (see FIG. 2) and is then inserted into the slit 80. The two thread ends are now ready for knotting by the knotter mechanism 60 and they may be held taut or under tension by the operator and the actuator 81 of the knotter mechanism 60 is pushed for effecting knotting of the two separated thread ends in a manner well understood by those with ordinary skill in the art. The knotted or pieced together yarn may now be removed from the knotter mechanism 60 and normal yarn processing of the spindle assembly 10 resumed.

Preferably, the mechanisms of this invention include a pair of tensioning means 85 and a pair of clamping means 86 for receiving, tensioning and clamping each of the separated thread ends prior to actuation of the knotting mechanism to eliminate holding of these thread ends by the operator.

The tensioning mechanisms 85 (see FIGS. 1, 4 and 5) comprise a stationary vertically extending rod 88 mounted to the housing 65 of the twister and a block member 89 mounted on the rod for sliding movement up and down the rod under the influence of gravity and having a nose piece 90 thereon for receiving the yarn therearound. The clamping member 86 comprises a generally flat resilient blade member 92 mounted at one end on a generally flat surface of the housing 65 of the twister for receiving and clamping a yarn end between the flat surface and the inside surface of the blade. Thus the two separated ends of yarn Y may be led from the slits 78 and 80, passed around the noses 90 and clamped in clamping members 86 for tensioning and holding of the loose or separated yarn ends during the knotting operation of the knotting mechanism 60.

Preferably, the two-for-one twister of this invention is equipped with an automatically controlled drive roller 45 in accordance with US. Pat. No. 3,565,356, issued Feb. 23, 1971, and assigned to the assignee of the present invention, and an apparatus for stopping the spindle assembly in a predetermined position in accordance with US. Pat. application, Ser. No. 264,816, filed June 21, 1972, now US. Pat. No. 3,805,507 and assigned to the assignee of the present invention. Both of these control mechanisms include, inter alia, electrical and mechanical control systems for stopping operation of the spindle mechanism and the take-up mechanism when piecing up or knotting of broken yarns or doffing is required.

When the spindle assemblies include these control means for selectively stopping and starting operation of the respective spindle assembly, it is preferable for the holder mechanism 60 to include actuating means 95. The actuating means 95 may be in the form of a mechanical or electrical actuator and, as herein illustrated and described, comprises a vertically directed plunger switch member 96 which is positioned below the passageway or aperture 72 in the female receptacle 71 for engagement by the male member 74 of the knotter mechanism 60 when it is positioned in the holder 70. The plunger 96 will move back to its original position when the male member 74 of the knotter mechanism is removed from the female receptacle 71 of the holder mechanism 70.

The actuating member 95 is operatively connected with the respective control means of the above identified patent and patent application and is responsive to reception and mounting of the yarn knotter mechanism 60 in the holder member 70 for actuating the control means to stop operation of the respective spindle assembly for a knotting operation and is responsive to removal of the yarn knotter mechanism 60 from the respective holder member 70 for actuating the control means to start operation of the respective spindle for yarn processing operations.

Also, it is preferable in accordance with this invention for the tWo-for-one twister machine to include pneumatically-operated yarn threading mechanisms operatively associated with each spindle assembly 10 for selectively threading a yarn end through at least a portion of the spindle assemblies upon actuation thereof. Such pneumatically-operated yarn threading mechanism for a two-for-one twister of this type is disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,731,478, issued May 8, 1973, and assigned to the assignee of the present invention. Reference may be had to that patent for a disclosure of the operation of the pneumatically operated yarn threading mechanism.

Generally, an ejector nozzle is provided which causes a positive air stream through the yarn passageway 21 and a negative air stream through the yarn passageway for sucking the yarn from the supply package P through the tube 30 and passageway 20 and blowing the yarn out of the passageway 21. The air stream then engages spoon-shaped deflection guide surface 100 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) which deflects the air stream and carries it and the yarn Y up through the space between the basket device 26 and the balloon limitor 23 to bring the end of yarn in position for the knotting operation. This pneumatically-operated yarn threading mechanism includes suitable electrical or mechanical control means for starting and stopping operation thereof.

In accordance with the present invention, the actuating means 95 is suitably operatively connected with the pneumatic threading mechanism for starting operation thereof when the yarn knotter mechanism 60 is mounted in the respective holder means and for stopping operation thereof when the yarn knotter mechanism 60 is removed from the respective holder mechanism 70.

As a further alternative to the form of the twister mechanism illustrated in FIGS. 14, the twister mechanism may include (see FIG. 5) respective shields for air guidance in accordance with German Auslegeschrift No. 1,904,473, assigned to the assignee of the present invention, wherein the holder mechanism 70 is mounted at the upper edge of the shield members. Otherwise, the embodiment of FIG. 5 is in accordance with the above description.

Thus it may be seen, that the present invention has overcome the deficiencies of the prior knotting operation and has provided mechanisms which will facilitate the piecing or knotting operation of yarn in a yarn processing machine.

In the drawings and specification there have been set forth preferred embodiments of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

What is claimed is:

1. In the combination of a textile yarn processing machine, such as a twister, spinning frame or the like, having a plurality of spindle assembly means positioned in side-by-side relationship for the processing of yarn, control means operatively connected with each of said spindle assembly means for selectively stopping and starting operation of said respective spindle assembly means, and a manually operated, portable yarn knotter mechanism for knotting together two ends of broken or otherwise separated yarn at selected spindle assembly locations; the improvement of holder means mounted stationary on said yarn processing machine in front of each said spindle assembly means and including means for releasably receiving and mounting said yarn knotter mechanism at the desired knotting location in front of selected spindle assembly means for a yarn knotting operation at the selected spindle assembly means eliminating the necessity of the operator holding said portable yarn knotter mechanism and actuating means operatively connected with the respective control means and responsive to reception and mounting of said yarn knotter mechanism in said respective holder means for actuating said control means to stop operation of said respective spindle assembly means for a yarn knotting operation.

2. In the combination, as set forth in claim 1, in which said actuating means of said holder means is responsive to removal of said yarn knotter mechanism from said respective holder means for actuating said control means to start operation of said respective spindle assembly means for yarn processing operations 3. In the combination, as set forth in claim 1, in which said yarn processing machine includes pneumatically operated yarn threading means operatively associated with each of said spindle assembly means for selectively threading a yarn end through at least a portion of each of said spindle assembly means upon actuation thereof, and in which said actuating means of said respective holder means are operatively connected with said respective pneumatic threading means for starting operation thereof when said yarn knotter mechanism is mounted in said respective holder meansv 4. In the combination, as set forth in claim 3, in which said actuating means of said holder means is responsive to removal of said yarn knotter mechanism from said respective holder means for stopping operation of said respective pneumatic threading means.

5. In the combination, as set forth in claim 1, in which said holder means comprises a female receptacle and said knotter mechanism includes a male member extending therefrom for reception by said female receptacle, and in which said actuating means comprises push switch means occupying a first position when said knotter mechanism is not positioned in said holder means and being moved to a second position by engagement by said male member when said male member is inserted into said female receptacle for mounting of said knotter mechanism in said holder means.

6. In the combination, as set forth in claim 1, further including a pair of tensioning means and a pair of clamping means mounted on said machine below each of said holder means for clamping and tensioning each of the ends of separated yam during the knotting operation.

7. In the combination, as set forth in claim 6, in which each of said tensioning means comprises a stationary vertically extending rod and a block member mounted on said rod for 'sliding movement up and down said rod and having a nose piece thereon for receiving yarn therearound.

8. In the combination, as set forth in claim 6, in which each of said clamping means comprises a generally flat resilient blade member mounted at one end on a generally flat surface of said machine for receiving and clamping a yarn between the flat surface and the inside surface of said blade member.

9. In the combination of a textile yarn processing machine, such as a twister, spinning frame or the like, having a plurality of spindle assemblies positioned in sideby-side relationship for the processing of yarn, control means operatively connected with each of said spindle assembly means for selectively stopping and starting operation of said respective spindle assembly means and pneumatically operated yarn threading means operatively associated with each of said spindle assembly means for selectively threading a yarn end through at least a portion of each of said spindle assembly means upon actuation thereof, and a manually operated, portable yarn knotter mechanism for knotting two ends of broken or otherwise separated yarn at selected spindle assembly locations; the improvement of holder means mounted stationary on said yarn processing machine in front of each said spindle assembly means and including means for releasably receiving and mounting said yarn knotter mechanism at the desired knotting location in front of selected spindle assembly means for a yarn knotting operation at the selected spindle assembly means eliminating the necessity of the operator holding said portable yarn knotter mechanism and actuating means operatively connected with said respective control means and with said respective pneumatic threading means and being responsive to reception and mounting of said yarn knotter mechanism in said respective holder means for actuating said control means to stop operation of said respective spindle assembly means for a yarn knotting mechanism and for starting operation of said pneumatic threading means for threading a yarn end through at least a portion of said selected spindle assembly means and being responsive to removal of said yarn knotter mechanism from said respective holder means for actuating said control means to start operation of said respective spindle assembly means for yarn processing operation and for stopping operation of said respective pneumatic threading means.

10. In the combination, as set forth in claim 9, further including a pair of tensioning means and a pair of clamping means mounted on said machine below each of said holder means for clamping and tensioning each of the ends of separated yarn during the knotting operation. 

1. In the combination of a textile yarn processing machine, such as a twister, spinning frame or the like, having a plurality of spindle assembly means positioned in side-by-side relationship for the processing of yarn, control means operatively connected with each of said spindle assembly means for selectively stopping and starting operation of said respective spindle assembly means, and a manually operated, portable yarn knotter mechanism for knotting together two ends of broken or otherwise separated yarn at selected spindle assembly locations; the improvement of holder means mounted stationary on said yarn processing machine in front of each said spindle assembly means and including means for releasably receiving and mounting said yarn knotter mechanism at the desired knotting location in front of selected spindle assembly means for a yarn knotting operation at the selected spindle assembly means eliminating the necessity of the operator holding said portable yarn knotter mechanism and actuating means operatively connected with the respective control means and responsive to reception and mounting of said yarn knotter mechanism in said respective holder means for actuating said control means to stop operation of said respective spindle assembly means for a yarn knotting operation.
 2. In the combination, as set forth in claim 1, in which said actuating means of said holder means is responsive to removal of said yarn knotter mechanism from said respective holder means for actuating said control means to start operation of said respective spindle assembly means for yarn processing operations.
 3. In the combination, as set forth in claim 1, in which said yarn processing machine includes pneumatically operated yarn threading means operatively associated with each of said spindle assembly means for selectively threading a yarn end through at least a portion of each of said spindle assembly means upon actuation thereof, and in which said actuating means of said respective holder means are operatively connected with said respective pneumatic threading means for starting operation thereof when said yarn knotter mechanism is mounted in said respective holder means.
 4. In the combination, as set forth in claim 3, in which said actuating means of said holder means is responsive to removal of said yarn knotter mechanism from said respective holder means for stopping operation of said respective pneumatic threading means.
 5. In the combination, as set forth in claim 1, in which said holder means comprises a female receptacle and said knotter mechanism includes a male member extending therefrom for reception by said female receptacle, and in which said actuating means comprises push switch means occupying a first position when said knotter mechanism is not positioned in said holder means and being moved to a second position by engagement by said male member when said male member is inserted into said female receptacle for mounting of said knotter mechanism in said holder means.
 6. In the combination, as set forth in claim 1, further including a pair of tensioning means and a pair of clamping means mounted on said machine below each of said holder means for clamping and tensioning each of the ends of separated yarn during the knotting operation.
 7. In the combination, as set forth in claim 6, in which each of said tensioning means comprises a stationary vertically extending rod and a block member mounted on said rod for sliding movement up and down said rod and having a nose piece thereon for receiving yarn therearound.
 8. In the combination, as set forth in claim 6, in which each of said clamping means comprises a generally flat resilient blade member mounted at one end on a generally flat surface of said machine for receiving and clamping a yarn between the flat surface and the inside surface of said blade member.
 9. In the combination of a textile yarn processing machine, such as a twister, spinning frame or the like, having a plurality of spindle assemblies positioned in side-by-side relationship for the processing of yarn, control means operatively connected with each of said spindle assembly means for selectively stopping and starting operation of said respective spindle assembly means and pneumatically operated yarn threading means operatively associated with each of said spindle assembly means for selectively threading a yarn end through at least a portion of each of said spindle assembly means upon actuation thereof, and a manually operated, portable yarn knotter mechanism for knotting two ends of broken or otherwise separated yarn at selected spindle assembly locations; the improvement of holder means mounted stationary on said yarn processing machine in front of each said spindle assembly means and including means for releasably receiving and mounting said yarn knotter mechanism at the desired knotting location in front of selected spindle assembly means for a yarn knotting operation at the selected spindle assembly means eliminating the necessity of the operator holding said portable yarn knotter mechanism and actuating means operatively connected with said respective control means and with said respective pneumatic threading means and being responsive to reception and mounting of said yarn knotter mechanism in said respective holder means for actuating said control means to stop operation of said respective spindle assembly means for a yarn knotting mechanism and for starting operation of said pneumatic threading means for threading a yarn end through at least a portion of said selected spindle assembly means and being responsive to removal of said yarn knotter mechanism from said respective holder means for actuating said control means to start operation of said respective spindle assembly means for yarn processing operation and for stopping operation of said respective pneumatic threading means.
 10. In the combination, as set forth in claim 9, further including a pair of tensioning means and a pair of clamping means mounted on said machine below each of said holder means for clamping and tensioning each of the ends of separated yarn during the knotting operation. 